Benefits of Barcode Scanning in Healthcare

When most people think about barcode scanners, they usually call to mind images of how they're used in a retail environment. Indeed, barcode scanners are utilized for everything from point of sale (POS) to stocking and inventory purposes. 

But a lot of people don't realize that barcode scanners are an invaluable part of many other fields, too. Case in point: healthcare. The benefits of barcode scanning in healthcare are plentiful and this is true for a number of distinct reasons that are certainly worth exploring.

Inventory Management

One of the major benefits of a healthcare barcode scanner has to do with how they can help with inventory management. This is a concept that is critical in both private practices and in hospitals, as a single misplaced item or inventory mistake could have significant ramifications for someone's health.

With barcode technology in healthcare, hospital staff can be certain that they have the proper medicine and other supplies on-hand at all times. If they don't, they'll know about it immediately, thus allowing them to refill whatever they're low on before they actually need to use it.

Patient Information and Validation

If you've been to the hospital in the last several years, you've likely been given a wristband soon after you were admitted. On that wristband is a barcode and medical professionals use it to not only create and share patient information, but to validate it as well.

If you're in the emergency room, for example, that barcode will be scanned. Then, if you get sent down to another part of the hospital for further testing, that barcode will be scanned again. This will happen countless times throughout the day, and with good reason - it's perhaps the most efficient way for your healthcare provider to securely share this information with a necessary counterpart in real-time.

Rather than trying to pass around manila folders filled with paper documents, all it takes is a quick scan of the barcode and someone will have access to all the information they need. This allows them to not only get you through the emergency room (or even a routine visit to your primary care provider) faster than ever, but it helps provide more efficient care to everyone else who might be waiting, too.

Medication Administration

Another one of the most common ways that barcode scanning is used in healthcare has to do with a task that is always at the forefront of a professional's mind: proper medication administration.

Something that many people don't think about is the fact that all prescription medication comes along with a data matrix code on the packaging. This helps to, among other things, verify its overall authenticity. When you're using a barcode scanner (or even a smartphone with a camera and the right barcode scanning app), that data matrix code can be "decoded" in a matter of seconds. This helps make sure that the right patients are always getting the proper medication they need to help improve their own health outcomes as much as possible.

Data Security

Finally, one of the biggest advantages of barcode scanning in healthcare comes by way of significantly increased data security capabilities.

Think for a moment about the sheer volume of personal identifying information that your average patient health record contains. Now, remember that those hard copy documents can easily be misplaced or stolen if one isn't incredibly careful - potentially exposing all of that information to someone who shouldn't be able to see it.

With barcode scanners  and similar types of technologies, healthcare organizations are in a far better position to comply with HIPAA and other regulations. Electronic health records by their nature were intended to help keep data secure at all times. Hospital staff members can control who has access to documents and who doesn't, how long information is stored for, where it is stored on a secure server (as opposed to a filing cabinet), and more - all so that private patient information remains that way, exactly as it should be.

What Barcode Scanners Are Used in Healthcare?

There are a variety of different manufacturers who make scanners for healthcare, but the market is dominated by vendors such as: 

• Zebra
• Honeywell/Intermec
• Datalogic

All told, barcode scanners have become an important part of healthcare over the last decade and that will continue to be true for years to come thanks to many of the distinct benefits outlined above.

At Mercom, we proudly offer a robust array of barcode scanning repair services for you to choose from depending on your needs. Whether you're talking about failures with the scanner itself, with the digital screen, with the power supply, or something else entirely, it's often more cost-effective (not to mention more efficient) to go with an experienced provider like Mercom rather than the original manufacturer. Likewise, we offer multi-vendor repairs and fast turnaround times to make sure that your equipment is back in your hands where it belongs as quickly as possible.

If you'd like to find out more information about the major benefits of barcode scanning in a healthcare environment, or if you have repair needs that you'd like to talk to someone about for your own organization in a bit more detail, please don't hesitate to contact the team at Mercom today.